Sanford teen claims $2 million Powerball prize

LAKE MARY, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - A Sanford teenager has claimed a $2 million prize from Wednesday's Powerball drawing. Officials said Frederick Walker, 19, had never purchased a lottery ticket before now.

What is especially interesting about this winning ticket is that Walker said he found a play slip that was already filled out, so he played those numbers. "When I heard about the billion dollar Powerball jackpot, I decided to try my luck and buy a ticket," said Walker. "I got to the store, and there was already a completed play slip at the playstation." Not being familiar with lottery games, Walker figured those numbers were as good as any so he took that play slip up to the counter and purchased his ticket. "How lucky that the first time I played, I won!"

The winning numbers drawn on Wednesday are: 4-8-19-27-34 and Powerball 10. Three winning tickets were sold in Florida, California and Tennessee. The winning Florida ticket was sold at a Publix in Melbourne Beach.

Walker matched all five numbers, but he did not pick the winning Powerball, which qualifies him for a $1 million prize — but with a $1 Power Play add-on, he increased his winnings to $2 million. The winning ticket was purchased at Sav-A-Ton, located at 199 North Country Club Road in Lake Mary.

Despite the incredible odds, Florida lottery officials said 11 people matched all five numbers — but not the Powerball — for a $1 million per-ticket prize. The next Powerball drawing will be this Saturday. As of Thursday afternoon, the jackpot was up to $40 million.